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1. Fusion approaches for emotion recognition from speech using acoustic and text-based features

Author

Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Ferrer, Luciana, Gravano, Agustin, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Ferrer, Luciana, and Gravano, Agustin

Abstract

In this paper, we study different approaches for classifying emotions from speech using acoustic and text-based features. We propose to obtain contextualized word embeddings with BERT to represent the information contained in speech transcriptions and show that this results in better performance than using Glove embeddings. We also propose and compare different strategies to combine the audio and text modalities, evaluating them on IEMOCAP and MSP-PODCAST datasets. We find that fusing acoustic and text-based systems is beneficial on both datasets, though only subtle differences are observed across the evaluated fusion approaches. Finally, for IEMOCAP, we show the large effect that the criteria used to define the cross-validation folds have on results. In particular, the standard way of creating folds for this dataset results in a highly optimistic estimation of performance for the text-based system, suggesting that some previous works may overestimate the advantage of incorporating transcriptions., Comment: 5 pages. Accepted in ICASSP 2020

Published
2024
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2. Leveraging Pre-Trained Autoencoders for Interpretable Prototype Learning of Music Audio

Author

Alonso-Jiménez, Pablo, Pepino, Leonardo, Batlle-Roca, Roser, Zinemanas, Pablo, Bogdanov, Dmitry, Serra, Xavier, Rocamora, Martín, Alonso-Jiménez, Pablo, Pepino, Leonardo, Batlle-Roca, Roser, Zinemanas, Pablo, Bogdanov, Dmitry, Serra, Xavier, and Rocamora, Martín

Abstract

We present PECMAE, an interpretable model for music audio classification based on prototype learning. Our model is based on a previous method, APNet, which jointly learns an autoencoder and a prototypical network. Instead, we propose to decouple both training processes. This enables us to leverage existing self-supervised autoencoders pre-trained on much larger data (EnCodecMAE), providing representations with better generalization. APNet allows prototypes' reconstruction to waveforms for interpretability relying on the nearest training data samples. In contrast, we explore using a diffusion decoder that allows reconstruction without such dependency. We evaluate our method on datasets for music instrument classification (Medley-Solos-DB) and genre recognition (GTZAN and a larger in-house dataset), the latter being a more challenging task not addressed with prototypical networks before. We find that the prototype-based models preserve most of the performance achieved with the autoencoder embeddings, while the sonification of prototypes benefits understanding the behavior of the classifier.

Published
2024

3. Natural Acid-Base Indicators as Home-based Experiments: Feasibility, Satisfaction, and Teachers Experiences in Secondary Science Blended Instruction

Author

Cerna, Ellen, Cortes, Shayne Fate, Padilla, Kyle Jay, Pepino, Chese Ann, Guion, Janielle Bernice, Gomez, Shane Dae, Taniola, John Vincent, Sumalinog, Kristine, Dinawanao, Charlene, Callanga, Charnel, Sanchez, Joje Mar Perino, Cerna, Ellen, Cortes, Shayne Fate, Padilla, Kyle Jay, Pepino, Chese Ann, Guion, Janielle Bernice, Gomez, Shane Dae, Taniola, John Vincent, Sumalinog, Kristine, Dinawanao, Charlene, Callanga, Charnel, and Sanchez, Joje Mar Perino

Abstract

Objectives: Common plants in the community can be used as acid-base indicators in laboratory experiments for blended learning in science. With this, the researchers conducted a study on the feasibility of the home-based experiments as well as the satisfaction and experiences of secondary-level teachers. Methods: Through a stratified random sampling from northern, southern, and metro Cebu in Central Visayas, Philippines, 45 teachers performed the experiment, answered the survey questionnaire, and were interviewed about their experiences. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and thematic analyses. Findings: The results showed that the home-based experiments were very feasible in terms of independent learning (u is equal to 4.52, SD is equal to 0.50), resource availability ( u is equal to 4.25, SD is equal to 0.43), and safety considerations (u is equal to 4.28, SD is equal to 0.68), as well as feasible according to adult supervision (u is equal to 2.48, SD is equal to 1.06). Moreover, the experiments produced a very positive experience (u is equal to 4.72, SD is equal to 0.40), which can be attributed to resource availability (p is equal to 0.574, p is equal to 0.000) and safety considerations (p is equal to 0.415, p is equal to 0.004). Furthermore, the teachers encountered opportunities, overcame challenges, and proposed improvements to the experiment. Conclusion: The home-based experiments on natural acid-base indicators are very feasible and highly satisfactory.Keywords: acid-based indicators, home-based experiments, secondary chemistry blended instruction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v13.i2.202334

Published
2023

4. Natural Acid-Base Indicators as Home-based Experiments: Feasibility, Satisfaction, and Teachers Experiences in Secondary Science Blended Instruction

Author

Cerna, Ellen, Cortes, Shayne Fate, Padilla, Kyle Jay, Pepino, Chese Ann, Guion, Janielle Bernice, Gomez, Shane Dae, Taniola, John Vincent, Sumalinog, Kristine, Dinawanao, Charlene, Callanga, Charnel, Sanchez, Joje Mar Perino, Cerna, Ellen, Cortes, Shayne Fate, Padilla, Kyle Jay, Pepino, Chese Ann, Guion, Janielle Bernice, Gomez, Shane Dae, Taniola, John Vincent, Sumalinog, Kristine, Dinawanao, Charlene, Callanga, Charnel, and Sanchez, Joje Mar Perino

Abstract

Objectives: Common plants in the community can be used as acid-base indicators in laboratory experiments for blended learning in science. With this, the researchers conducted a study on the feasibility of the home-based experiments as well as the satisfaction and experiences of secondary-level teachers. Methods: Through a stratified random sampling from northern, southern, and metro Cebu in Central Visayas, Philippines, 45 teachers performed the experiment, answered the survey questionnaire, and were interviewed about their experiences. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and thematic analyses. Findings: The results showed that the home-based experiments were very feasible in terms of independent learning (u is equal to 4.52, SD is equal to 0.50), resource availability ( u is equal to 4.25, SD is equal to 0.43), and safety considerations (u is equal to 4.28, SD is equal to 0.68), as well as feasible according to adult supervision (u is equal to 2.48, SD is equal to 1.06). Moreover, the experiments produced a very positive experience (u is equal to 4.72, SD is equal to 0.40), which can be attributed to resource availability (p is equal to 0.574, p is equal to 0.000) and safety considerations (p is equal to 0.415, p is equal to 0.004). Furthermore, the teachers encountered opportunities, overcame challenges, and proposed improvements to the experiment. Conclusion: The home-based experiments on natural acid-base indicators are very feasible and highly satisfactory.Keywords: acid-based indicators, home-based experiments, secondary chemistry blended instruction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v13.i2.202334

Published
2023

5. Covid-19 affects taste independent of taste-smell confusions: Results from a combined chemosensory home test and online survey from a large global cohort

Author

Nguyen, H., Albayay, J., Höchenberger, R., Bhutani, S., Boesveldt, S., Busch, N.A., Croijmans, I.M., Cooper, K.W., Groot, J.H.B. de, Farruggia, M.C., Fjaeldstad, A.W., Hayes, J.E., Hummel, T., Joseph, P.V., Laktionova, T.K., Thomas-Danguin, T., Veldhuizen, M.G., Voznessenskaya, V.V., Parma, V., Pepino, M.Y., Ohla, K., Nguyen, H., Albayay, J., Höchenberger, R., Bhutani, S., Boesveldt, S., Busch, N.A., Croijmans, I.M., Cooper, K.W., Groot, J.H.B. de, Farruggia, M.C., Fjaeldstad, A.W., Hayes, J.E., Hummel, T., Joseph, P.V., Laktionova, T.K., Thomas-Danguin, T., Veldhuizen, M.G., Voznessenskaya, V.V., Parma, V., Pepino, M.Y., and Ohla, K.

Abstract

Item does not contain fulltext, People often confuse smell loss with taste loss, so it is unclear how much gustatory function is reduced in patients self-reporting taste loss. Our pre-registered cross-sectional study design included an online survey in 12 languages with instructions for self-administering chemosensory tests with 10 household items. Between June 2020 and March 2021, 10,953 individuals participated. Of these, 5,225 self-reported a respiratory illness and were grouped based on their reported COVID test results: COVID-positive (COVID+, N = 3,356), COVID-negative (COVID-, N = 602), and COVID unknown for those waiting for a test result (COVID?, N = 1,267). The participants who reported no respiratory illness were grouped by symptoms: sudden smell/taste changes (STC, N = 4,445), other symptoms excluding smell or taste changes (OthS, N = 832), and no symptoms (NoS, N = 416). Taste, smell, and oral irritation intensities and self-assessed abilities were rated on visual analog scales. Compared to the NoS group, COVID+ was associated with a 21% reduction in taste (95% confidence interval (CI): 15-28%), 47% in smell (95% CI: 37-56%), and 17% in oral irritation (95% CI: 10–25%) intensity. There were medium to strong correlations between perceived intensities and self-reported abilities (r = 0.84 for smell, r = 0.68 for taste, and r = 0.37 for oral irritation). Our study demonstrates that COVID-19-positive individuals report taste dysfunction when self-tested with stimuli that have little to none olfactory components. Assessing the smell and taste intensity of household items is a promising, cost-effective screening tool that complements self-reports and may help to disentangle taste loss from smell loss. However, it does not replace standardized validated psychophysical tests.

Published
2023

6. Phone and speaker spatial organization in self-supervised speech representations

Author

Riera, Pablo, Cerdeiro, Manuela, Pepino, Leonardo, Ferrer, Luciana, Riera, Pablo, Cerdeiro, Manuela, Pepino, Leonardo, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

Self-supervised representations of speech are currently being widely used for a large number of applications. Recently, some efforts have been made in trying to analyze the type of information present in each of these representations. Most such work uses downstream models to test whether the representations can be successfully used for a specific task. The downstream models, though, typically perform nonlinear operations on the representation extracting information that may not have been readily available in the original representation. In this work, we analyze the spatial organization of phone and speaker information in several state-of-the-art speech representations using methods that do not require a downstream model. We measure how different layers encode basic acoustic parameters such as formants and pitch using representation similarity analysis. Further, we study the extent to which each representation clusters the speech samples by phone or speaker classes using non-parametric statistical testing. Our results indicate that models represent these speech attributes differently depending on the target task used during pretraining.

Published
2023
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7. Covid-19 affects taste independent of taste-smell confusions : Results from a combined chemosensory home test and online survey from a large global cohort

Author

Nguyen, Ha, Albayay, Javier, Höchenberger, Richard, Bhutani, Surabhi, Boesveldt, Sanne, Busch, Niko A., Croijmans, Ilja, Cooper, Keiland W., De Groot, Jasper H.B., Farruggia, Michael C., Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Hayes, John E., Hummel, Thomas, Joseph, Paule V., Laktionova, Tatiana K., Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Parma, Valentina, Pepino, M.Y., Ohla, Kathrin, Nguyen, Ha, Albayay, Javier, Höchenberger, Richard, Bhutani, Surabhi, Boesveldt, Sanne, Busch, Niko A., Croijmans, Ilja, Cooper, Keiland W., De Groot, Jasper H.B., Farruggia, Michael C., Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Hayes, John E., Hummel, Thomas, Joseph, Paule V., Laktionova, Tatiana K., Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Parma, Valentina, Pepino, M.Y., and Ohla, Kathrin

Abstract

People often confuse smell loss with taste loss, so it is unclear how much gustatory function is reduced in patients self-reporting taste loss. Our pre-registered cross-sectional study design included an online survey in 12 languages with instructions for self-Administering chemosensory tests with 10 household items. Between June 2020 and March 2021, 10,953 individuals participated. Of these, 5,225 self-reported a respiratory illness and were grouped based on their reported COVID test results: COVID-positive (COVID+, N = 3,356), COVID-negative (COVID-, N = 602), and COVID unknown for those waiting for a test result (COVID?, N = 1,267). The participants who reported no respiratory illness were grouped by symptoms: sudden smell/taste changes (STC, N = 4,445), other symptoms excluding smell or taste changes (OthS, N = 832), and no symptoms (NoS, N = 416). Taste, smell, and oral irritation intensities and self-Assessed abilities were rated on visual analog scales. Compared to the NoS group, COVID+ was associated with a 21% reduction in taste (95% confidence interval (CI): 15-28%), 47% in smell (95% CI: 37-56%), and 17% in oral irritation (95% CI: 10-25%) intensity. There were medium to strong correlations between perceived intensities and self-reported abilities (r = 0.84 for smell, r = 0.68 for taste, and r = 0.37 for oral irritation). Our study demonstrates that COVID-19-positive individuals report taste dysfunction when self-Tested with stimuli that have little to none olfactory components. Assessing the smell and taste intensity of household items is a promising, cost-effective screening tool that complements self-reports and may help to disentangle taste loss from smell loss. However, it does not replace standardized validated psychophysical tests.

Published
2023

8. BUT CHiME-7 system description

Author

Karafiát, Martin, Veselý, Karel, Szöke, Igor, Mošner, Ladislav, Beneš, Karel, Witkowski, Marcin, Barchi, Germán, Pepino, Leonardo, Karafiát, Martin, Veselý, Karel, Szöke, Igor, Mošner, Ladislav, Beneš, Karel, Witkowski, Marcin, Barchi, Germán, and Pepino, Leonardo

Abstract

This paper describes the joint effort of Brno University of Technology (BUT), AGH University of Krakow and University of Buenos Aires on the development of Automatic Speech Recognition systems for the CHiME-7 Challenge. We train and evaluate various end-to-end models with several toolkits. We heavily relied on Guided Source Separation (GSS) to convert multi-channel audio to single channel. The ASR is leveraging speech representations from models pre-trained by self-supervised learning, and we do a fusion of several ASR systems. In addition, we modified external data from the LibriSpeech corpus to become a close domain and added it to the training. Our efforts were focused on the far-field acoustic robustness sub-track of Task 1 - Distant Automatic Speech Recognition (DASR), our systems use oracle segmentation., Comment: 6 pages, Chime-7 challenge 2023

Published
2023

9. EnCodecMAE: Leveraging neural codecs for universal audio representation learning

Author

Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Ferrer, Luciana, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

The goal of universal audio representation learning is to obtain foundational models that can be used for a variety of downstream tasks involving speech, music and environmental sounds. To approach this problem, methods inspired by works on self-supervised learning for NLP, like BERT, or computer vision, like masked autoencoders (MAE), are often adapted to the audio domain. In this work, we propose masking representations of the audio signal, and training a MAE to reconstruct the masked segments. The reconstruction is done by predicting the discrete units generated by EnCodec, a neural audio codec, from the unmasked inputs. We evaluate this approach, which we call EnCodecMAE, on a wide range of tasks involving speech, music and environmental sounds. Our best model outperforms various state-of-the-art audio representation models in terms of global performance. Additionally, we evaluate the resulting representations in the challenging task of automatic speech recognition (ASR), obtaining decent results and paving the way for a universal audio representation.

Published
2023

10. A multidisciplinary telerehabilitation approach for supporting social interaction in autism spectrum disorder families: An italian digital platform in response to covid-19

Author

Vallefuoco, E, Purpura, G, Gison, G, Bonifacio, A, Tagliabue, L, Broggi, F, Scuccimarra, G, Pepino, A, Nacinovich, R, Vallefuoco E., Purpura G., Gison G., Bonifacio A., Tagliabue L., Broggi F., Scuccimarra G., Pepino A., Nacinovich R., Vallefuoco, E, Purpura, G, Gison, G, Bonifacio, A, Tagliabue, L, Broggi, F, Scuccimarra, G, Pepino, A, Nacinovich, R, Vallefuoco E., Purpura G., Gison G., Bonifacio A., Tagliabue L., Broggi F., Scuccimarra G., Pepino A., and Nacinovich R.

Abstract

Due to its complexity and high variability in symptomology, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires a coordinated and multidisciplinary intervention to better support the different programs over time and to promote social interactions in all contexts of life. Telemedicine can offer a valuable contribution in this regard, providing low-cost and portable applications. In this paper, we presented an Italian project, SUPER, which aimed to foster collaboration and information sharing between ASD families, health services, and schools. SUPER provided a digital platform with several tools that were useful both to enhance general and specific ASD knowledge and to promote personalized programs for children with ASD. We conducted a preliminary user test for the platform with 30 participants (18 therapists and 12 parents of children with ASD) using the system usability scale (SUS). The total mean SUS score (89.2) showed that SUPER is an excellent, usable system. Moreover, we extracted the usability and learnability mean components from the SUS scores, which were 96.1 and 61.7, respectively. Our preliminary results indicate that SUPER is a very user-friendly application and its innovative telemedicine approach could be ahelpful communication and collaboration tool among the different contexts of care for children with ASD.

Published
2021

11. Overexpression of a soybean Globin (GmGlb1-1) gene reduces plant susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita

Author

Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima, Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, and Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

Abstract

Non-symbiotic globin class #1 (Glb1) genes are expressed in different plant organs, have a high affinity for oxygen, and are related to nitric oxide (NO) turnover. Previous studies showed that soybean Glb1 genes are upregulated in soybean plants under flooding conditions. Herein, the GmGlb1-1 gene was identified in soybean as being upregulated in the nematode-resistant genotype PI595099 compared to the nematode-susceptible cultivar BRS133 during plant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita. The Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum transgenic lines overexpressing the GmGlb1-1 gene showed reduced susceptibility to M. incognita. Consistently, gall morphology data indicated that pJ2 nematodes that infected the transgenic lines showed developmental alterations and delayed parasitism progress. Although no significant changes in biomass and seed yield were detected, the transgenic lines showed an elongated, etiolation-like growth under well-irrigation, and also developed more axillary roots under flooding conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed upregulation of some important genes involved in plant defense response to oxidative stress. In agreement, higher hydrogen peroxide accumulation and reduced activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification enzymes were also observed in these transgenic lines. Thus, based on our data and previous studies, it was hypothesized that constitutive overexpression of the GmGlb1-1 gene can interfere in the dynamics of ROS production and NO scavenging, enhancing the acquired systemic acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving the cellular homeostasis. Therefore, these collective data suggest that ectopic or nematode-induced overexpression, or enhanced expression of the GmGlb1-1 gene using CRISPR/dCas9 offers great potential for application in commercial soybean cultivars aiming to reduce plant susceptibility to M. incognita., Funding Agencies|CAPES [88887.642997/2021-00]; FAPESP [2019/13936-0]; CAPES/Cofecub project; CNPq; FAP-DF; INCT Plant Stress Biotech; EMBRAPA; INCT Bioethanol

Published
2022
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12. Overexpression of a soybean Globin (GmGlb1-1) gene reduces plant susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita

Author

Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima, Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, and Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

Abstract

Non-symbiotic globin class #1 (Glb1) genes are expressed in different plant organs, have a high affinity for oxygen, and are related to nitric oxide (NO) turnover. Previous studies showed that soybean Glb1 genes are upregulated in soybean plants under flooding conditions. Herein, the GmGlb1-1 gene was identified in soybean as being upregulated in the nematode-resistant genotype PI595099 compared to the nematode-susceptible cultivar BRS133 during plant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita. The Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum transgenic lines overexpressing the GmGlb1-1 gene showed reduced susceptibility to M. incognita. Consistently, gall morphology data indicated that pJ2 nematodes that infected the transgenic lines showed developmental alterations and delayed parasitism progress. Although no significant changes in biomass and seed yield were detected, the transgenic lines showed an elongated, etiolation-like growth under well-irrigation, and also developed more axillary roots under flooding conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed upregulation of some important genes involved in plant defense response to oxidative stress. In agreement, higher hydrogen peroxide accumulation and reduced activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification enzymes were also observed in these transgenic lines. Thus, based on our data and previous studies, it was hypothesized that constitutive overexpression of the GmGlb1-1 gene can interfere in the dynamics of ROS production and NO scavenging, enhancing the acquired systemic acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving the cellular homeostasis. Therefore, these collective data suggest that ectopic or nematode-induced overexpression, or enhanced expression of the GmGlb1-1 gene using CRISPR/dCas9 offers great potential for application in commercial soybean cultivars aiming to reduce plant susceptibility to M. incognita., Funding Agencies|CAPES [88887.642997/2021-00]; FAPESP [2019/13936-0]; CAPES/Cofecub project; CNPq; FAP-DF; INCT Plant Stress Biotech; EMBRAPA; INCT Bioethanol

Published
2022
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13. Overexpression of a soybean Globin (GmGlb1-1) gene reduces plant susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita

Author

Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima, Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, and Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

Abstract

Non-symbiotic globin class #1 (Glb1) genes are expressed in different plant organs, have a high affinity for oxygen, and are related to nitric oxide (NO) turnover. Previous studies showed that soybean Glb1 genes are upregulated in soybean plants under flooding conditions. Herein, the GmGlb1-1 gene was identified in soybean as being upregulated in the nematode-resistant genotype PI595099 compared to the nematode-susceptible cultivar BRS133 during plant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita. The Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum transgenic lines overexpressing the GmGlb1-1 gene showed reduced susceptibility to M. incognita. Consistently, gall morphology data indicated that pJ2 nematodes that infected the transgenic lines showed developmental alterations and delayed parasitism progress. Although no significant changes in biomass and seed yield were detected, the transgenic lines showed an elongated, etiolation-like growth under well-irrigation, and also developed more axillary roots under flooding conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed upregulation of some important genes involved in plant defense response to oxidative stress. In agreement, higher hydrogen peroxide accumulation and reduced activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification enzymes were also observed in these transgenic lines. Thus, based on our data and previous studies, it was hypothesized that constitutive overexpression of the GmGlb1-1 gene can interfere in the dynamics of ROS production and NO scavenging, enhancing the acquired systemic acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving the cellular homeostasis. Therefore, these collective data suggest that ectopic or nematode-induced overexpression, or enhanced expression of the GmGlb1-1 gene using CRISPR/dCas9 offers great potential for application in commercial soybean cultivars aiming to reduce plant susceptibility to M. incognita., Funding Agencies|CAPES [88887.642997/2021-00]; FAPESP [2019/13936-0]; CAPES/Cofecub project; CNPq; FAP-DF; INCT Plant Stress Biotech; EMBRAPA; INCT Bioethanol

Published
2022
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14. Overexpression of a soybean Globin (GmGlb1-1) gene reduces plant susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita

Author

Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima, Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, and Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

Abstract

Non-symbiotic globin class #1 (Glb1) genes are expressed in different plant organs, have a high affinity for oxygen, and are related to nitric oxide (NO) turnover. Previous studies showed that soybean Glb1 genes are upregulated in soybean plants under flooding conditions. Herein, the GmGlb1-1 gene was identified in soybean as being upregulated in the nematode-resistant genotype PI595099 compared to the nematode-susceptible cultivar BRS133 during plant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita. The Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum transgenic lines overexpressing the GmGlb1-1 gene showed reduced susceptibility to M. incognita. Consistently, gall morphology data indicated that pJ2 nematodes that infected the transgenic lines showed developmental alterations and delayed parasitism progress. Although no significant changes in biomass and seed yield were detected, the transgenic lines showed an elongated, etiolation-like growth under well-irrigation, and also developed more axillary roots under flooding conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed upregulation of some important genes involved in plant defense response to oxidative stress. In agreement, higher hydrogen peroxide accumulation and reduced activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification enzymes were also observed in these transgenic lines. Thus, based on our data and previous studies, it was hypothesized that constitutive overexpression of the GmGlb1-1 gene can interfere in the dynamics of ROS production and NO scavenging, enhancing the acquired systemic acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving the cellular homeostasis. Therefore, these collective data suggest that ectopic or nematode-induced overexpression, or enhanced expression of the GmGlb1-1 gene using CRISPR/dCas9 offers great potential for application in commercial soybean cultivars aiming to reduce plant susceptibility to M. incognita., Funding Agencies|CAPES [88887.642997/2021-00]; FAPESP [2019/13936-0]; CAPES/Cofecub project; CNPq; FAP-DF; INCT Plant Stress Biotech; EMBRAPA; INCT Bioethanol

Published
2022
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15. Overexpression of a soybean Globin (GmGlb1-1) gene reduces plant susceptibility to Meloidogyne incognita

Author

Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima, Basso, Marcos Fernando, Lourenco-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan, Moreira-Pinto, Clidia Eduarda, Mendes, Reneida Aparecida Godinho, Paes-de-Melo, Bruno, das Neves, Maysa Rosa, Macedo, Amanda Ferreira, Figueiredo, Viviane, Grandis, Adriana, Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino, Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro, Costa, Marcos Mota do Carmo, Togawa, Roberto Coiti, Enrich Prast, Alex, Marcelino-Guimaraes, Francismar Correa, Gomes, Ana Cristina Meneses Mendes, Silva, Maria Cristina Mattar, Floh, Eny Iochevet Segal, Buckeridge, Marcos Silveira, Engler, Janice de Almeida, and Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

Abstract

Non-symbiotic globin class #1 (Glb1) genes are expressed in different plant organs, have a high affinity for oxygen, and are related to nitric oxide (NO) turnover. Previous studies showed that soybean Glb1 genes are upregulated in soybean plants under flooding conditions. Herein, the GmGlb1-1 gene was identified in soybean as being upregulated in the nematode-resistant genotype PI595099 compared to the nematode-susceptible cultivar BRS133 during plant parasitism by Meloidogyne incognita. The Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum transgenic lines overexpressing the GmGlb1-1 gene showed reduced susceptibility to M. incognita. Consistently, gall morphology data indicated that pJ2 nematodes that infected the transgenic lines showed developmental alterations and delayed parasitism progress. Although no significant changes in biomass and seed yield were detected, the transgenic lines showed an elongated, etiolation-like growth under well-irrigation, and also developed more axillary roots under flooding conditions. In addition, transgenic lines showed upregulation of some important genes involved in plant defense response to oxidative stress. In agreement, higher hydrogen peroxide accumulation and reduced activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification enzymes were also observed in these transgenic lines. Thus, based on our data and previous studies, it was hypothesized that constitutive overexpression of the GmGlb1-1 gene can interfere in the dynamics of ROS production and NO scavenging, enhancing the acquired systemic acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improving the cellular homeostasis. Therefore, these collective data suggest that ectopic or nematode-induced overexpression, or enhanced expression of the GmGlb1-1 gene using CRISPR/dCas9 offers great potential for application in commercial soybean cultivars aiming to reduce plant susceptibility to M. incognita., Funding Agencies|CAPES [88887.642997/2021-00]; FAPESP [2019/13936-0]; CAPES/Cofecub project; CNPq; FAP-DF; INCT Plant Stress Biotech; EMBRAPA; INCT Bioethanol

Published
2022
Full Text
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16. Recent Smell Loss Is the Best Predictor of COVID-19 Among Individuals With Recent Respiratory Symptoms.

Author

UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Gerkin, Richard C, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Joseph, Paule V, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Steele, Kimberley E, Farruggia, Michael C, Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y, Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela M, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W, Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A, Singh, Preet B, Brindha, V Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B, Saraiva, Luis R, Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Bhutani, Surabhi, D'Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Dar Hwang, Liang, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W, Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Philpott, Carl M, Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D C, Voznessenskaya, Vera V, Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, María Adelaida, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundström, Johan N, Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima T, Santamaría, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Rohlfs Dominguez, Paloma, Yanik, Hüseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John E, Reed, Danielle R, Niv, Masha Y, Munger, Steven D, Parma, Valentina, GCCR Group Author, UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Gerkin, Richard C, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Joseph, Paule V, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Steele, Kimberley E, Farruggia, Michael C, Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y, Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela M, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W, Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A, Singh, Preet B, Brindha, V Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B, Saraiva, Luis R, Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Bhutani, Surabhi, D'Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Dar Hwang, Liang, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W, Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Philpott, Carl M, Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D C, Voznessenskaya, Vera V, Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, María Adelaida, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundström, Johan N, Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima T, Santamaría, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Rohlfs Dominguez, Paloma, Yanik, Hüseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John E, Reed, Danielle R, Niv, Masha Y, Munger, Steven D, Parma, Valentina, and GCCR Group Author

Abstract

In a preregistered, cross-sectional study, we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n = 4148) or negative (C19-; n = 546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean ± SD, C19+: -82.5 ± 27.2 points; C19-: -59.8 ± 37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC = 0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4 < OR < 10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.

Published
2021

17. Corrigendum to: More Than Smell-COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis.

Author

UCL - SSS/IONS - Institute of NeuroScience, UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D C, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E A, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H B, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, Hayes, John E, UCL - SSS/IONS - Institute of NeuroScience, UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D C, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E A, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H B, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, and Hayes, John E

Abstract

This is a correction notice for article bjaa041 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjaa041), published 20 June 2020. An incorrect version of the caption to Figure 5 was mistakenly included in the published paper. An updated version is given below. Neither the data nor the paper’s conclusions were affected by this correction. The authors sincerely apologize for the error.

Published
2021

18. Recent Smell Loss Is the Best Predictor of COVID-19 Among Individuals With Recent Respiratory Symptoms

Author

Gerkin, Richard C., Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Joseph, Paule, Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Steele, Kimberley E., Farruggia, Michael C., Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y., Bouysset, Cedric, Soler, Graciela M., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W., Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A., Singh, Preet B., Brindha, V. Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B., Saraiva, Luis R., Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Bhutani, Surabhi, D'Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A., Golebiowski, Jerome, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozturk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W., Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Philpott, Carl M., Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D. C., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, Maria Adelaida, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundstrom, Johan N., Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima T., Santamaria, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Dominguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Yanik, Huseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John E., Reed, Danielle R., Niv, Masha Y., Munger, Steven D., Parma, Valentina, Gerkin, Richard C., Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Joseph, Paule, Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Steele, Kimberley E., Farruggia, Michael C., Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y., Bouysset, Cedric, Soler, Graciela M., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W., Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A., Singh, Preet B., Brindha, V. Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B., Saraiva, Luis R., Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Bhutani, Surabhi, D'Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A., Golebiowski, Jerome, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozturk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W., Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Philpott, Carl M., Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D. C., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, Maria Adelaida, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundstrom, Johan N., Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima T., Santamaria, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Dominguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Yanik, Huseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John E., Reed, Danielle R., Niv, Masha Y., Munger, Steven D., and Parma, Valentina

Abstract

In a preregistered, cross-sectional study, we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0–100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n = 4148) or negative (C19−; n = 546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19− groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean ± SD, C19+: −82.5 ± 27.2 points; C19−: −59.8 ± 37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC = 0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0–10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4 < OR < 10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.

Published
2021
Full Text
View/download PDF

19. Recent Smell Loss Is the Best Predictor of COVID-19 Among Individuals With Recent Respiratory Symptoms.

Author

Gerkin, Richard, Gerkin, Richard, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria, Joseph, Paule, Kelly, Christine, Bakke, Alyssa, Steele, Kimberley, Farruggia, Michael, Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta, Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland, Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet, Fjaeldstad, Alexander, Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari, Singh, Preet, Brindha, V, Olsson, Shannon, Saraiva, Luis, Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed, Bhutani, Surabhi, DErrico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Dar Hwang, Liang, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine, Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian, Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien, Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas, Philpott, Carl, Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie, Voznessenskaya, Vera, Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, María, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundström, Johan, Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima, Santamaría, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Rohlfs Dominguez, Paloma, Yanik, Hüseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John, Reed, Danielle, Niv, Masha, Munger, Steven, Parma, Valentina, Gerkin, Richard, Gerkin, Richard, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria, Joseph, Paule, Kelly, Christine, Bakke, Alyssa, Steele, Kimberley, Farruggia, Michael, Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta, Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland, Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet, Fjaeldstad, Alexander, Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari, Singh, Preet, Brindha, V, Olsson, Shannon, Saraiva, Luis, Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed, Bhutani, Surabhi, DErrico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Dar Hwang, Liang, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine, Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian, Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien, Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas, Philpott, Carl, Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie, Voznessenskaya, Vera, Albayay, Javier, Altundag, Aytug, Bensafi, Moustafa, Bock, María, Calcinoni, Orietta, Fredborg, William, Laudamiel, Christophe, Lim, Juyun, Lundström, Johan, Macchi, Alberto, Meyer, Pablo, Moein, Shima, Santamaría, Enrique, Sengupta, Debarka, Rohlfs Dominguez, Paloma, Yanik, Hüseyin, Hummel, Thomas, Hayes, John, Reed, Danielle, Niv, Masha, Munger, Steven, and Parma, Valentina

Abstract

In a preregistered, cross-sectional study, we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0-100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n = 4148) or negative (C19-; n = 546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19- groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean ± SD, C19+: -82.5 ± 27.2 points; C19-: -59.8 ± 37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC = 0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0-10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4 < OR < 10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.

Published
2021

20. Recent smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 among individuals with recent respiratory symptoms

Author

Gerkin, Richard C., Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Joseph, Paule V., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Steele, Kimberley E., Farruggia, Michael C., Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y., Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela M., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W., Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A., Singh, Preet B., Brindha, Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B., Saraiva, Luis R., Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Bhutani, Surabhi, D’Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A., Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W., Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Philpott, Carl M., Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Boesveldt, Sanne, Parma, Valentina, Gerkin, Richard C., Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Joseph, Paule V., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Steele, Kimberley E., Farruggia, Michael C., Pellegrino, Robert, Pepino, Marta Y., Bouysset, Cédric, Soler, Graciela M., Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Dibattista, Michele, Cooper, Keiland W., Croijmans, Ilja, Di Pizio, Antonella, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Lin, Cailu, Sandell, Mari A., Singh, Preet B., Brindha, Evelyn, Olsson, Shannon B., Saraiva, Luis R., Ahuja, Gaurav, Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Bhutani, Surabhi, D’Errico, Anna, Fornazieri, Marco A., Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Öztürk, Lina, Roura, Eugeni, Spinelli, Sara, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Faraji, Farhoud, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Hsieh, Julien W., Huart, Caroline, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Menini, Anna, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Philpott, Carl M., Pierron, Denis, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Boesveldt, Sanne, and Parma, Valentina

Abstract

In a preregistered, cross-sectional study, we investigated whether olfactory loss is a reliable predictor of COVID-19 using a crowdsourced questionnaire in 23 languages to assess symptoms in individuals self-reporting recent respiratory illness. We quantified changes in chemosensory abilities during the course of the respiratory illness using 0–100 visual analog scales (VAS) for participants reporting a positive (C19+; n = 4148) or negative (C19−; n = 546) COVID-19 laboratory test outcome. Logistic regression models identified univariate and multivariate predictors of COVID-19 status and post-COVID-19 olfactory recovery. Both C19+ and C19− groups exhibited smell loss, but it was significantly larger in C19+ participants (mean ± SD, C19+: −82.5 ± 27.2 points; C19−: −59.8 ± 37.7). Smell loss during illness was the best predictor of COVID-19 in both univariate and multivariate models (ROC AUC = 0.72). Additional variables provide negligible model improvement. VAS ratings of smell loss were more predictive than binary chemosensory yes/no-questions or other cardinal symptoms (e.g., fever). Olfactory recovery within 40 days of respiratory symptom onset was reported for ~50% of participants and was best predicted by time since respiratory symptom onset. We find that quantified smell loss is the best predictor of COVID-19 amongst those with symptoms of respiratory illness. To aid clinicians and contact tracers in identifying individuals with a high likelihood of having COVID-19, we propose a novel 0–10 scale to screen for recent olfactory loss, the ODoR-19. We find that numeric ratings ≤2 indicate high odds of symptomatic COVID-19 (4 < OR < 10). Once independently validated, this tool could be deployed when viral lab tests are impractical or unavailable.

Published
2021

21. Study of positional encoding approaches for Audio Spectrogram Transformers

Author

Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Ferrer, Luciana, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

Transformers have revolutionized the world of deep learning, specially in the field of natural language processing. Recently, the Audio Spectrogram Transformer (AST) was proposed for audio classification, leading to state of the art results in several datasets. However, in order for ASTs to outperform CNNs, pretraining with ImageNet is needed. In this paper, we study one component of the AST, the positional encoding, and propose several variants to improve the performance of ASTs trained from scratch, without ImageNet pretraining. Our best model, which incorporates conditional positional encodings, significantly improves performance on Audioset and ESC-50 compared to the original AST., Comment: Submitted to ICASSP 2022. 5 pages, 3 figures

Published
2021
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22. Corrigendum to: More Than Smell—COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis

Author

Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V., Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N., Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., Van Den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E.A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, De Groot, Jasper H.B., Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W., Abdulrahman, Olagunju, Dalton, Pamela, Yan, Carol H., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Chen, Jingguo, Sell, Elizabeth A., Walsh-Messinger, Julie, Archer, Nicholas S., Koyama, Sachiko, Deary, Vincent, Roberts, S.C., Yanlk, Hüseyin, Albayrak, Samet, Nováková, Lenka Martinec, Croijmans, Ilja, Mazal, Patricia Portillo, Moein, Shima T., Margulis, Eitan, Mignot, Coralie, Mariño, Sajidxa, Georgiev, Dejan, Kaushik, Pavan K., Malnic, Bettina, Wang, Hong, Seyed-Allaei, Shima, Yoluk, Nur, Razzaghi-Asl, Sara, Justice, Jeb M., Restrepo, Diego, Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D., Hayes, John E., Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V., Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N., Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., Van Den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E.A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, De Groot, Jasper H.B., Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W., Abdulrahman, Olagunju, Dalton, Pamela, Yan, Carol H., Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Chen, Jingguo, Sell, Elizabeth A., Walsh-Messinger, Julie, Archer, Nicholas S., Koyama, Sachiko, Deary, Vincent, Roberts, S.C., Yanlk, Hüseyin, Albayrak, Samet, Nováková, Lenka Martinec, Croijmans, Ilja, Mazal, Patricia Portillo, Moein, Shima T., Margulis, Eitan, Mignot, Coralie, Mariño, Sajidxa, Georgiev, Dejan, Kaushik, Pavan K., Malnic, Bettina, Wang, Hong, Seyed-Allaei, Shima, Yoluk, Nur, Razzaghi-Asl, Sara, Justice, Jeb M., Restrepo, Diego, Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D., and Hayes, John E.

Abstract

This is a correction notice for article bjaa041 (DOI: https:// doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjaa041), published 20 June 2020. An incorrect version of the caption to Figure 5 was mistakenly included in the published paper. An updated version is given below. Neither the data nor the paper's conclusions were affected by this correction. The authors sincerely apologize for the error. (A) Correlations between the 3 principal components with respect to changes in 3 chemosensory modalities (i.e., taste, smell, and chemesthesis). Shades of gray indicate positive correlation, whereas shades of red indicate negative correlations. White denotes no correlation. (B) Clusters of participants identified by k-means clustering. The scatterplot shows each participant's loading on dimension 1 (degree of smell and taste loss, PC1 on x-Axis) and dimension 2 (degree of chemesthesis loss, PC2 on y-Axis). Based on the centroid of each cluster, participants in cluster 1 (blue, N = 1767; top left) are generally characterized by significant smell, taste and chemesthesis loss. Participants in cluster 2 (orange, N = 1724; bottom center) are generally characterized by ratings that reflect smell/taste loss with preserved chemesthesis. Loadings for participants in cluster 3 (green, N = 548; right side) are generally characterized by reduced smell and taste loss, and preserved chemesthesis.

Published
2021

23. Emotion Recognition from Speech Using Wav2vec 2.0 Embeddings

Author

Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Ferrer, Luciana, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

Emotion recognition datasets are relatively small, making the use of the more sophisticated deep learning approaches challenging. In this work, we propose a transfer learning method for speech emotion recognition where features extracted from pre-trained wav2vec 2.0 models are modeled using simple neural networks. We propose to combine the output of several layers from the pre-trained model using trainable weights which are learned jointly with the downstream model. Further, we compare performance using two different wav2vec 2.0 models, with and without finetuning for speech recognition. We evaluate our proposed approaches on two standard emotion databases IEMOCAP and RAVDESS, showing superior performance compared to results in the literature., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to Interspeech 2021

Published
2021

24. A Study on the Manifestation of Trust in Speech

Author

Gauder, Lara, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Brussino, Silvina, Vidal, Jazmín, Gravano, Agustín, Ferrer, Luciana, Gauder, Lara, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Brussino, Silvina, Vidal, Jazmín, Gravano, Agustín, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

Research has shown that trust is an essential aspect of human-computer interaction directly determining the degree to which the person is willing to use a system. An automatic prediction of the level of trust that a user has on a certain system could be used to attempt to correct potential distrust by having the system take relevant actions like, for example, apologizing or explaining its decisions. In this work, we explore the feasibility of automatically detecting the level of trust that a user has on a virtual assistant (VA) based on their speech. We developed a novel protocol for collecting speech data from subjects induced to have different degrees of trust in the skills of a VA. The protocol consists of an interactive session where the subject is asked to respond to a series of factual questions with the help of a virtual assistant. In order to induce subjects to either trust or distrust the VA's skills, they are first informed that the VA was previously rated by other users as being either good or bad; subsequently, the VA answers the subjects' questions consistently to its alleged abilities. All interactions are speech-based, with subjects and VAs communicating verbally, which allows the recording of speech produced under different trust conditions. Using this protocol, we collected a speech corpus in Argentine Spanish. We show clear evidence that the protocol effectively succeeded in influencing subjects into the desired mental state of either trusting or distrusting the agent's skills, and present results of a perceptual study of the degree of trust performed by expert listeners. Finally, we found that the subject's speech can be used to detect which type of VA they were using, which could be considered a proxy for the user's trust toward the VA's abilities, with an accuracy up to 76%, compared to a random baseline of 50%., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2007.15711, arXiv:2006.05977

Published
2021

25. More than just smell - COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis

Author

Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Domínguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Pizio, Antonella Di, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Fialov, Jitka Trebická, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, KL, Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V., Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., Brink, Mirjam van den, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph.S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique Enrique, Fredborg, William E.A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Abdulrahman, Olagunju, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Dalton, Pamela, Freiherr, Jessica, Yan, Carol H., Groot, Jasper H. B. de, Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Klein, Hadar, Chen, Jingguo, Okamoto, Masako, Sell, Elizabeth A., Singh, Preet Bano, Walsh-Messinger, Julie, Archer, Nicholas S., Koyama, Sachiko, Deary, Vincent, Roberts, S. Craig, Yanik, Hüseyin, Albayrak, Samet, Novákov, Lenka Martinec, Croijmans, Ilja, Mazal, Patricia Portillo, Moein, Shima T., Margulis, Eitan, Mignot, Coralie, Mariño, Sajidxa, Georgiev, Dejan, Kaushik, Pavan K., Malnic, Bettina, Wang, Hong, Seyed-Allaei, Shima, Yoluk, Nur, Asl, Sara Razzaghi, Justice, Jeb M., Restrepo, Diego, Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven, Hayes, John E, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Domínguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Pizio, Antonella Di, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Fialov, Jitka Trebická, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, KL, Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V., Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., Brink, Mirjam van den, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph.S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D.C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique Enrique, Fredborg, William E.A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Abdulrahman, Olagunju, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Dalton, Pamela, Freiherr, Jessica, Yan, Carol H., Groot, Jasper H. B. de, Voznessenskaya, Vera V., Klein, Hadar, Chen, Jingguo, Okamoto, Masako, Sell, Elizabeth A., Singh, Preet Bano, Walsh-Messinger, Julie, Archer, Nicholas S., Koyama, Sachiko, Deary, Vincent, Roberts, S. Craig, Yanik, Hüseyin, Albayrak, Samet, Novákov, Lenka Martinec, Croijmans, Ilja, Mazal, Patricia Portillo, Moein, Shima T., Margulis, Eitan, Mignot, Coralie, Mariño, Sajidxa, Georgiev, Dejan, Kaushik, Pavan K., Malnic, Bettina, Wang, Hong, Seyed-Allaei, Shima, Yoluk, Nur, Asl, Sara Razzaghi, Justice, Jeb M., Restrepo, Diego, Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven, and Hayes, John E

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, generally lacked quantitative measurements, and were mostly restricted to data from single countries. Here, we report the development, implementation and initial results of a multi-lingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in three distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, 8 other, ages 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7±28.7, mean±SD), taste (-69.0±32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3±36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell, but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This work was supported financially with discretionary funds from the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), including a gift from James and Helen Zallie g

Published
2020

26. More Than Smell-COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis.

Author

Parma, Valentina, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie DC, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William EA, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper HB, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, Hayes, John E, Parma, Valentina, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie DC, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William EA, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper HB, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, and Hayes, John E

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (-69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.

Published
2020

27. More Than Smell—COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis

Author

Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Dominguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N., Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D. C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaria, Enrique, Fredborg, William E. A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H. B., Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W., Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D., Hayes, John E., Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Dominguez, Paloma Rohlfs, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M., Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M., Smith, Barry C., Lundström, Johan N., Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K., van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S., Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D. C., Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaria, Enrique, Fredborg, William E. A., Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K., Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M., Alwashahi, Mohammed K., Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H. B., Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W., Reed, Danielle R., Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D., and Hayes, John E.

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19–79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (−79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (−69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (−37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.

Published
2020
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28. More Than Smell-COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis.

Author

UCL - SSS/IONS - Institute of NeuroScience, UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D C, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E A, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H B, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, Hayes, John E, UCL - SSS/IONS - Institute of NeuroScience, UCL - SSS/IONS/NEUR - Clinical Neuroscience, UCL - (SLuc) Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie D C, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William E A, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper H B, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, and Hayes, John E

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (-69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.

Published
2020

29. More Than Smell-COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis.

Author

Parma, Valentina, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie DC, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William EA, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper HB, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, Hayes, John E, Parma, Valentina, Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G, Niv, Masha Y, Kelly, Christine E, Bakke, Alyssa J, Cooper, Keiland W, Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y, Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B, Gerkin, Richard C, Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C, Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W, Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R, Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang-Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A, Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L, Colquitt, Lauren R, Ferdenzi, Camille, Brindha, Evelyn V, Altundag, Aytug, Macchi, Alberto, Nunez-Parra, Alexia, Patel, Zara M, Fiorucci, Sébastien, Philpott, Carl M, Smith, Barry C, Lundström, Johan N, Mucignat, Carla, Parker, Jane K, van den Brink, Mirjam, Schmuker, Michael, Fischmeister, Florian Ph S, Heinbockel, Thomas, Shields, Vonnie DC, Faraji, Farhoud, Santamaría, Enrique, Fredborg, William EA, Morini, Gabriella, Olofsson, Jonas K, Jalessi, Maryam, Karni, Noam, D'Errico, Anna, Alizadeh, Rafieh, Pellegrino, Robert, Meyer, Pablo, Huart, Caroline, Chen, Ben, Soler, Graciela M, Alwashahi, Mohammed K, Welge-Lüssen, Antje, Freiherr, Jessica, de Groot, Jasper HB, Klein, Hadar, Okamoto, Masako, Singh, Preet Bano, Hsieh, Julien W, GCCR Group Author, Reed, Danielle R, Hummel, Thomas, Munger, Steven D, and Hayes, John E

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (-69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.

Published
2020

30. Detecting Distrust Towards the Skills of a Virtual Assistant Using Speech

Author

Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Gauder, Lara, Gravano, Agustín, Ferrer, Luciana, Pepino, Leonardo, Riera, Pablo, Gauder, Lara, Gravano, Agustín, and Ferrer, Luciana

Abstract

Research has shown that trust is an essential aspect of human-computer interaction directly determining the degree to which the person is willing to use the system. An automatic prediction of the level of trust that a user has on a certain system could be used to attempt to correct potential distrust by having the system take relevant actions like, for example, explaining its actions more thoroughly. In this work, we explore the feasibility of automatically detecting the level of trust that a user has on a virtual assistant (VA) based on their speech. We use a dataset collected for this purpose, containing human-computer speech interactions where subjects were asked to answer various factual questions with the help of a virtual assistant, which they were led to believe was either very reliable or unreliable. We find that the subject's speech can be used to detect which type of VA they were using, which could be considered a proxy for the user's trust toward the VA's abilities, with an accuracy up to 76\%, compared to a random baseline of 50\%. These results are obtained using features that have been previously found useful for detecting speech directed to infants and non-native speakers.

Published
2020

31. Trust-UBA: A Corpus for the Study of the Manifestation of Trust in Speech

Author

Gauder, Lara, Riera, Pablo, Pepino, Leonardo, Brussino, Silvina, Vidal, Jazmín, Ferrer, Luciana, Gravano, Agustín, Gauder, Lara, Riera, Pablo, Pepino, Leonardo, Brussino, Silvina, Vidal, Jazmín, Ferrer, Luciana, and Gravano, Agustín

Abstract

This paper describes a novel protocol for collecting speech data from subjects induced to have different degrees of trust in the skills of a conversational agent. The protocol consists of an interactive session where the subject is asked to respond to a series of factual questions with the help of a virtual assistant. In order to induce subjects to either trust or distrust the agent's skills, they are first informed that it was previously rated by other users as being either good or bad; subsequently, the agent answers the subjects' questions consistently to its alleged abilities. All interactions are speech-based, with subjects and agents communicating verbally, which allows the recording of speech produced under different trust conditions. We collected a speech corpus in Argentine Spanish using this protocol, which we are currently using to study the feasibility of predicting the degree of trust from speech. We find clear evidence that the protocol effectively succeeded in influencing subjects into the desired mental state of either trusting or distrusting the agent's skills, and present preliminary results of a perceptual study of the degree of trust performed by expert listeners. The collected speech dataset will be made publicly available once ready.

Published
2020

32. L’evoluzione delle norme e delle politiche del diritto di asilo in Italia e in Europa tra protezione internazionale e asilo costituzionale

Author

Trucco, L., De Vito, R, M. Giovannetti, N. Zorzella, L. Ferrajoli, M. Colucci, C. Favilli, A. Di Pascale, M. Pastore, L. Gennari, C. L. Cecchini, G. Crescini, A. Caputo, F. Miraglia, G. Naletto, E. Rigo, W. Chiaromonte, M. Paggi, A. Cattaruzzi, Chiaretto, E, Favilli, C, Ferri, M., Cottatellucci, C, Di Pietro, F, Biondi Dal Monte, F, Carbone, V, Gargiulo, E, Russo Spena, M, Belluccio, D, Farinelli, F, Algostino, A, Ciervo, A, Minniti, L, Pailli, G, Guariso, A, Flamini, M, Veglio, M, Savio, G, Masera, L, Trucco, L, Boiano, I, Cecchini, C, L, Borraccetti, M, Nicodemi, F, Simoni, A, Acierno, M, Giovannetti, M, Rizzi, E, S, Nascimbene, B, Pepino, L, Zorzella, N, Bonetti, P, Trucco, L., De Vito, R, M. Giovannetti, N. Zorzella, L. Ferrajoli, M. Colucci, C. Favilli, A. Di Pascale, M. Pastore, L. Gennari, C. L. Cecchini, G. Crescini, A. Caputo, F. Miraglia, G. Naletto, E. Rigo, W. Chiaromonte, M. Paggi, A. Cattaruzzi, Chiaretto, E, Favilli, C, Ferri, M., Cottatellucci, C, Di Pietro, F, Biondi Dal Monte, F, Carbone, V, Gargiulo, E, Russo Spena, M, Belluccio, D, Farinelli, F, Algostino, A, Ciervo, A, Minniti, L, Pailli, G, Guariso, A, Flamini, M, Veglio, M, Savio, G, Masera, L, Trucco, L, Boiano, I, Cecchini, C, L, Borraccetti, M, Nicodemi, F, Simoni, A, Acierno, M, Giovannetti, M, Rizzi, E, S, Nascimbene, B, Pepino, L, Zorzella, N, and Bonetti, P

Published
2020

33. More Than Smell-COVID-19 Is Associated With Severe Impairment of Smell, Taste, and Chemesthesis

Author

Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., Hayes III, J.E., Parma, Valentina, Ohla, Kathrin, Veldhuizen, Maria G., Niv, Masha Y., Kelly, Christine E., Bakke, Alyssa J., Cooper, Keiland W., Bouysset, Cédric, Pirastu, Nicola, Dibattista, Michele, Kaur, Rishemjit, Liuzza, Marco Tullio, Pepino, Marta Y., Schöpf, Veronika, Pereda-Loth, Veronica, Olsson, Shannon B., Gerkin, Richard C., Rohlfs Domínguez, Paloma, Albayay, Javier, Farruggia, Michael C., Bhutani, Surabhi, Fjaeldstad, Alexander W., Kumar, Ritesh, Menini, Anna, Bensafi, Moustafa, Sandell, Mari, Konstantinidis, Iordanis, Di Pizio, Antonella, Genovese, Federica, Öztürk, Lina, Thomas-Danguin, Thierry, Frasnelli, Johannes, Boesveldt, Sanne, Saatci, Özlem, Saraiva, Luis R., Lin, Cailu, Golebiowski, Jérôme, Hwang, Liang Dar, Ozdener, Mehmet Hakan, Guàrdia, Maria Dolors, Laudamiel, Christophe, Ritchie, Marina, Havlícek, Jan, Pierron, Denis, Roura, Eugeni, Navarro, Marta, Nolden, Alissa A., Lim, Juyun, Whitcroft, Katherine L., Colquitt, Lauren R., and Hayes III, J.E.

Abstract

Recent anecdotal and scientific reports have provided evidence of a link between COVID-19 and chemosensory impairments, such as anosmia. However, these reports have downplayed or failed to distinguish potential effects on taste, ignored chemesthesis, and generally lacked quantitative measurements. Here, we report the development, implementation, and initial results of a multilingual, international questionnaire to assess self-reported quantity and quality of perception in 3 distinct chemosensory modalities (smell, taste, and chemesthesis) before and during COVID-19. In the first 11 days after questionnaire launch, 4039 participants (2913 women, 1118 men, and 8 others, aged 19-79) reported a COVID-19 diagnosis either via laboratory tests or clinical assessment. Importantly, smell, taste, and chemesthetic function were each significantly reduced compared to their status before the disease. Difference scores (maximum possible change ±100) revealed a mean reduction of smell (-79.7 ± 28.7, mean ± standard deviation), taste (-69.0 ± 32.6), and chemesthetic (-37.3 ± 36.2) function during COVID-19. Qualitative changes in olfactory ability (parosmia and phantosmia) were relatively rare and correlated with smell loss. Importantly, perceived nasal obstruction did not account for smell loss. Furthermore, chemosensory impairments were similar between participants in the laboratory test and clinical assessment groups. These results show that COVID-19-associated chemosensory impairment is not limited to smell but also affects taste and chemesthesis. The multimodal impact of COVID-19 and the lack of perceived nasal obstruction suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus strain 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may disrupt sensory-neural mechanisms.

Published
2020

34. Modelo de predicción de aislamiento acústico para paneles simples y multicapa

Author

Mansilla Benasco, Joaquín, Bender, Laurence, Pepino, Leonardo, Mansilla Benasco, Joaquín, Bender, Laurence, and Pepino, Leonardo

Abstract

Airborne acoustic insulation prediction models allow to evaluate the sound transmission loss of construction solutions in buildings. Among the different building materials used in constructions, homogeneous and isotropic materials of various thicknesses, such as concrete and glass, are commonplace. Due to the limitations of simple panels made from materials of standard thickness, in order to increase the acoustic insulation it is necessary to add various layers of the same or different materials. This research presents a model based on several approximations depending on the frequency range and comprises multi-layer panels joined together using “spot” techniques, such as by screws or nails. The model performance is evaluated with a comparison between predictions obtained using the commercial software INSUL and the model proposed by the authors. The predicted values are also compared with laboratory measurements obtained according to ISO 140-3. This research considers panels grouped into two categories of materials: light and heavyweight materials. The transmission loss in third octave bands, the weighted sound reduction indices and the spectral adaptation terms Rw (C,Ctr) are examined. Statistically, the results show that the proposed model agrees well with real measurements, both for single and multi-layer panels., Los modelos de predicción de aislamiento acústico son una herramienta importante a la hora de diseñar los elementos constructivos que integran una obra de construcción. Existen materiales homogéneos e isotrópicos de diferentes espesores como el hormigón o el vidrio, entre otros. En muchos casos para alcanzar el aislamiento acústico requerido se suele superponer varias capas del mismo o diferentes materiales para aumentar la masa superficial del sistema. En esta investigación se presenta un modelo basado en diferentes aproximaciones según el rango de frecuencias para calcular el índice de reducción sonora R en el caso de paneles simples y paneles multicapa unidos de forma puntual, como puede ser mediante tornillos o clavos. Se evalúa el desempeño del modelo mediante una comparativa entre las predicciones obtenidas utilizando el programa comercial INSUL y las obtenidas con el modelo propuesto. A su vez, se contrastan los valores con mediciones en laboratorio realizadas de acuerdo a la norma ISO 140-3. El estudio considera paneles agrupados en dos categorías de materiales: livianos y pesados. Se examinan las pérdidas por transmisión en bandas de tercio de octava, los índices de reducción sonora ponderados y los términos de adaptación espectral Rw(C,Ctr). Estadísticamente, los resultados muestran que el modelo propuesto se adapta a los ensayos disponibles, tanto para paneles simples como para multicapa.

Published
2019

35. Modelo de predicción de aislamiento acústico para paneles simples y multicapa

Author

Mansilla Benasco, Joaquín, Bender, Laurence, Pepino, Leonardo, Mansilla Benasco, Joaquín, Bender, Laurence, and Pepino, Leonardo

Abstract

Airborne acoustic insulation prediction models allow to evaluate the sound transmission loss of construction solutions in buildings. Among the different building materials used in constructions, homogeneous and isotropic materials of various thicknesses, such as concrete and glass, are commonplace. Due to the limitations of simple panels made from materials of standard thickness, in order to increase the acoustic insulation it is necessary to add various layers of the same or different materials. This research presents a model based on several approximations depending on the frequency range and comprises multi-layer panels joined together using “spot” techniques, such as by screws or nails. The model performance is evaluated with a comparison between predictions obtained using the commercial software INSUL and the model proposed by the authors. The predicted values are also compared with laboratory measurements obtained according to ISO 140-3. This research considers panels grouped into two categories of materials: light and heavyweight materials. The transmission loss in third octave bands, the weighted sound reduction indices and the spectral adaptation terms Rw (C,Ctr) are examined. Statistically, the results show that the proposed model agrees well with real measurements, both for single and multi-layer panels., Los modelos de predicción de aislamiento acústico son una herramienta importante a la hora de diseñar los elementos constructivos que integran una obra de construcción. Existen materiales homogéneos e isotrópicos de diferentes espesores como el hormigón o el vidrio, entre otros. En muchos casos para alcanzar el aislamiento acústico requerido se suele superponer varias capas del mismo o diferentes materiales para aumentar la masa superficial del sistema. En esta investigación se presenta un modelo basado en diferentes aproximaciones según el rango de frecuencias para calcular el índice de reducción sonora R en el caso de paneles simples y paneles multicapa unidos de forma puntual, como puede ser mediante tornillos o clavos. Se evalúa el desempeño del modelo mediante una comparativa entre las predicciones obtenidas utilizando el programa comercial INSUL y las obtenidas con el modelo propuesto. A su vez, se contrastan los valores con mediciones en laboratorio realizadas de acuerdo a la norma ISO 140-3. El estudio considera paneles agrupados en dos categorías de materiales: livianos y pesados. Se examinan las pérdidas por transmisión en bandas de tercio de octava, los índices de reducción sonora ponderados y los términos de adaptación espectral Rw(C,Ctr). Estadísticamente, los resultados muestran que el modelo propuesto se adapta a los ensayos disponibles, tanto para paneles simples como para multicapa.

Published
2019

36. The highly excited-state manifold of guanine: calibration for nonlinear electronic spectroscopy simulations

Author

Segarra-Martí, J, Segarra-Martí, J, Pepino, AJ, Nenov, A, Mukamel, S, Garavelli, M, Rivalta, I, Segarra-Martí, J, Segarra-Martí, J, Pepino, AJ, Nenov, A, Mukamel, S, Garavelli, M, and Rivalta, I

Abstract

A computational protocol based on the complete and restricted active space self-consistent field (CASSCF/RASSCF) methods and their second-order perturbation theory extensions (CASPT2/RASPT2) is employed to benchmark the highly excited-state manifold of the DNA/RNA canonical purine nucleobase guanine in vacuo. Several RASPT2 schemes are tested, displaying a steady convergence of electronic transition energies and dipole moments upon active space enlargement toward the reference values. The outcome allows calibrating and optimizing computational efforts by considering cheaper and more approximate RAS schemes that could enable the characterization of the excited-state manifolds of multi-chromophoric systems, such as DNA/RNA nucleobase dimers or multimers. Simulations of two-dimensional electronic spectra show similar trends to those observed on the other purine nucleobase adenine, deviating from this and other pyrimidine nucleobases in featuring its main excited-state absorption signal, embodied by sizable double HOMO to LUMO excitation contributions, in the UV probing window.

Published
2018

37. The highly excited-state manifold of guanine: calibration for nonlinear electronic spectroscopy simulations

Author

Segarra-Martí, J, Segarra-Martí, J, Pepino, AJ, Nenov, A, Mukamel, S, Garavelli, M, Rivalta, I, Segarra-Martí, J, Segarra-Martí, J, Pepino, AJ, Nenov, A, Mukamel, S, Garavelli, M, and Rivalta, I

Abstract

A computational protocol based on the complete and restricted active space self-consistent field (CASSCF/RASSCF) methods and their second-order perturbation theory extensions (CASPT2/RASPT2) is employed to benchmark the highly excited-state manifold of the DNA/RNA canonical purine nucleobase guanine in vacuo. Several RASPT2 schemes are tested, displaying a steady convergence of electronic transition energies and dipole moments upon active space enlargement toward the reference values. The outcome allows calibrating and optimizing computational efforts by considering cheaper and more approximate RAS schemes that could enable the characterization of the excited-state manifolds of multi-chromophoric systems, such as DNA/RNA nucleobase dimers or multimers. Simulations of two-dimensional electronic spectra show similar trends to those observed on the other purine nucleobase adenine, deviating from this and other pyrimidine nucleobases in featuring its main excited-state absorption signal, embodied by sizable double HOMO to LUMO excitation contributions, in the UV probing window.

Published
2018

38. Poster display II clinical general

Author

Gurgenyan, S., Vatinyan, S., Nikogosyan, K., Edilyan, L., Chobanyan, B., Lacourcière, Y., Marcel Dumont, M., Lefebvre, J., Poirier, L., Côté, C., Peix, A., Alonso, O., Chae, I., Chung, J., Gutierrez, C., Kropp, J., Onsel, C., Silvasi, I., Llerena, L., Padhy, A., Garcia-Barreto, D., Trapaga, A., Asen, L., Infante, O., Ponce, F., Cabrera, L., Valiente, J., Tornes, F., Guerrero, I., Zayas, R., ones, M., Castro, J., Fayad, Y., Carrillo, R., Paz, A., Mehlsen, J., Hædersdal, C., Daou, D., Benada, A., Lebtahi, R., Idy-Peretti, I., Guludec, D., Coaguila, C., Vilain, D., Leenhardt, A., Heinicke, N., Benesch, B., Kaiser, T., Seegmüller, M., Schönberger, J., Eilles, C., Riegger, G., Holmer, S., Luchner, A., Kouris, N., Kontogianni, D., Goranitou, G., Sifaki, M., Kalkandi, E., Grassos, H., Papoulia, E., Babalis, D., Moralidis, E., Spyridonidis, T., Arsos, G., Karakatsanis, K., Karatzas, N., Parameswaran, R., Sundaram, P., Padma, S., Haridas, K., Zachariah, M., Kumar, S., Feola, M., Leonardi, G., Peano, S., Bianchi, A., Dutto, P., Guala, E., Biggi, A., Uslenghi, E., Filardi, P., Pace, L., Dellegrottaglie, S., Corrado, L., Cafiero, M., Camerino, R., Maglione, A., Polimeno, M., Zarrilli, A., Chiariello, M., Giorgetti, A., Gimelli, A., Marini, C., Schluter, M., Kusch, A., D'Aragona, I., Marzullo, P., Stanislao, M., Zanco, P., Inglese, E., Bertelli, P., Valle, G., Tassone, F., Pepino, R., Francini, A., Garrone, O., Occelli, M., Merlano, M., Florimonte, L., Pagani, L., Piatti, L., Butti, I., Maffioli, L., Casorelli, E., Dottore, F., Gentili, G., Agostini, M., Pieri, P., Milan, E., Giubbini, R., Mazzanti, M., Serenelli, M., Perna, G., Ferro, A., Duilio, C., Santomauro, M., Salvatore, M., Cuocolo, A., Bertagna, F., Bosio, G., Terzi, A., Paghera, B., Kaneta, T., Otani, H., Hakamatsuka, T., Fukuda, H., Nakazato, R., Moroi, M., Kunimasa, T., Furuhashi, T., Sugi, K., Yasuhi, W., Akihiro, S., Yukawa, A., Ryu, K., Kimio, T., Yasuhiko, T., Nariaki, E., Yasunori, W., Akashi, Y., Musha, H., Kida, K., Itoh, K., Inoue, K., Kawasaki, K., Hashimoto, N., Nakazawa, K., Miyake, F., Fukuzawa, S., Ozawa, S., Inagaki, M., Sugioka, J., Okino, S., Matsuo, S., Matsumoto, T., Nakae, I., Masuda, D., Horie, M., Mori, Y., Takahashi, K., Masai, M., Kawasaki, D., Kanemori, T., Okuda, S., Tanabe, K., Ohyanagi, M., OKuda, S., Toyama, T., Hoshizaki, H., Seki, R., Isobe, N., Kawaguchi, R., Oshima, S., Taniguchi, K., Nakagawa, K., Sekine, T., Yamazaki, M., Komuro, I., Kim, K., Teramoto, N., Jino, H., Ohta, Y., Watabe, H., Hayashi, T., Iida, H., Nishimura, T., Nagae, A., Morishima, K., Shigeyama, T., Shimoyama, K., Yoshino, H., Kawai, Y., Jeong, S., Lee, J., Seo, J., Bae, J., Ahn, B., Chae, S., Lee, K., Cho, I., Chun, K., Won, K., Lee, H., Hong, G., Park, J., Shin, D., Kim, Y., Shim, B., Pavlovic, J., Peovska, I., Vavlukis, M., Gorceva, D., Majstorov, V., Alexanderson, E., Meave, A., Ricalde, A., Teresinska, A., Sliwinski, M., Konieczna, S., Szymanska, M., Hendzel, P., Juraszynski, Z., Debski, A., Szumilak, B., Kostkiewicz, M., Wilkolek, P., Pasowicz, M., Klimeczek, P., Pieniazek, P., Przewlocki, T., Pieculewicz, M., Tracz, W., Szot, W., Trebacz, J., Zmudka, K., Podolec, P., Dziuk, M., Kazmierczak, A., Kot, E., Pietrzykowski, J., Cholewa, M., Coutinho, M., Correia, M., Cantinho, G., Conceição, I., Bernardes, A., Silva, A., Gaspar, F., Cunha, J., Lourenço, C., Roque, C., Ferrer-Antunes, A., Ferreira, M., Providência, L., Lima, J., Abreu, A., Castillejos, L., Henriksson, I., Oliveira, L., Rosário, L., Geão, A., Pereira, E., Colarinha, P., Romero-Farina, G., Candell-Riera, J., Aguadé-Bruix, S., Leon, G., Caresia, A., Mila-Lopez, M., Garcia-Alonso, C., Pifarre-Montaner, P., Negre-Buso, M., Castell-Conesa, J., Mestre-Fusco, A., Porta-Biosca, F., Muxi, A., Paredes, P., Ortin, J., Duch, J., Diaz-Infante, E., Fuertes, S., Orus, J., Mont, L., Pons, F., Pollack, C., Hellermann, J., Namdar, M., Siegrist, P., Koepfli, P., Bartenstein, N., Schurr, U., Jenni, R., Kaufmann, P., Hassad, R., Hamami, H., Sellem, A., Brahim, H., Caglar, M., Mahmoudian, B., Aytemir, K., Kahraman, S., Arýcý, M., Kabakcý, G., Karabulut, E., Akincioglu, C., Berman, D., Nishina, H., Hayes, S., Kavanagh, P., Friedman, J., Slomka, P., Germano, G., Entok, E., Cavusoglu, Y., Vardareli, E., Timuralp, B., Cheetham, A., Naylor, V., Ghiotto, F., McGhie, J., Al-Housni, M., Kelion, A., Hutchings, F., Hinton-Taylor, S., Birkbeck, P., Thatikonda, S., Feldkamp, M., Rosamond, T., Raza, M., Panjrath, G., Haider, A., Jain, D., Yang, A., Schumacher, R., Reynolds, J., Clark, E., Speiser, D., Schindel, M., Hackney, T., Vacek, J., Jindal, V., Dim, U., Hamburg, L., Mouradian, V., Nichols, K., Akinboboye, O., Snyder, K., Polepalle, D., DePuey, G., Khattak, H., Friedman, M., Thompson, L., Thompson, R., McGhie, A., Moser, K., O'Keefe, J., Fritsch, N., Bateman, T., Mut, F., Vidal, I., Rener, A., Nuñez, M., Alvarez, B., Beretta, M., Gurgenyan, S., Vatinyan, S., Nikogosyan, K., Edilyan, L., Chobanyan, B., Lacourcière, Y., Marcel Dumont, M., Lefebvre, J., Poirier, L., Côté, C., Peix, A., Alonso, O., Chae, I., Chung, J., Gutierrez, C., Kropp, J., Onsel, C., Silvasi, I., Llerena, L., Padhy, A., Garcia-Barreto, D., Trapaga, A., Asen, L., Infante, O., Ponce, F., Cabrera, L., Valiente, J., Tornes, F., Guerrero, I., Zayas, R., ones, M., Castro, J., Fayad, Y., Carrillo, R., Paz, A., Mehlsen, J., Hædersdal, C., Daou, D., Benada, A., Lebtahi, R., Idy-Peretti, I., Guludec, D., Coaguila, C., Vilain, D., Leenhardt, A., Heinicke, N., Benesch, B., Kaiser, T., Seegmüller, M., Schönberger, J., Eilles, C., Riegger, G., Holmer, S., Luchner, A., Kouris, N., Kontogianni, D., Goranitou, G., Sifaki, M., Kalkandi, E., Grassos, H., Papoulia, E., Babalis, D., Moralidis, E., Spyridonidis, T., Arsos, G., Karakatsanis, K., Karatzas, N., Parameswaran, R., Sundaram, P., Padma, S., Haridas, K., Zachariah, M., Kumar, S., Feola, M., Leonardi, G., Peano, S., Bianchi, A., Dutto, P., Guala, E., Biggi, A., Uslenghi, E., Filardi, P., Pace, L., Dellegrottaglie, S., Corrado, L., Cafiero, M., Camerino, R., Maglione, A., Polimeno, M., Zarrilli, A., Chiariello, M., Giorgetti, A., Gimelli, A., Marini, C., Schluter, M., Kusch, A., D'Aragona, I., Marzullo, P., Stanislao, M., Zanco, P., Inglese, E., Bertelli, P., Valle, G., Tassone, F., Pepino, R., Francini, A., Garrone, O., Occelli, M., Merlano, M., Florimonte, L., Pagani, L., Piatti, L., Butti, I., Maffioli, L., Casorelli, E., Dottore, F., Gentili, G., Agostini, M., Pieri, P., Milan, E., Giubbini, R., Mazzanti, M., Serenelli, M., Perna, G., Ferro, A., Duilio, C., Santomauro, M., Salvatore, M., Cuocolo, A., Bertagna, F., Bosio, G., Terzi, A., Paghera, B., Kaneta, T., Otani, H., Hakamatsuka, T., Fukuda, H., Nakazato, R., Moroi, M., Kunimasa, T., Furuhashi, T., Sugi, K., Yasuhi, W., Akihiro, S., Yukawa, A., Ryu, K., Kimio, T., Yasuhiko, T., Nariaki, E., Yasunori, W., Akashi, Y., Musha, H., Kida, K., Itoh, K., Inoue, K., Kawasaki, K., Hashimoto, N., Nakazawa, K., Miyake, F., Fukuzawa, S., Ozawa, S., Inagaki, M., Sugioka, J., Okino, S., Matsuo, S., Matsumoto, T., Nakae, I., Masuda, D., Horie, M., Mori, Y., Takahashi, K., Masai, M., Kawasaki, D., Kanemori, T., Okuda, S., Tanabe, K., Ohyanagi, M., OKuda, S., Toyama, T., Hoshizaki, H., Seki, R., Isobe, N., Kawaguchi, R., Oshima, S., Taniguchi, K., Nakagawa, K., Sekine, T., Yamazaki, M., Komuro, I., Kim, K., Teramoto, N., Jino, H., Ohta, Y., Watabe, H., Hayashi, T., Iida, H., Nishimura, T., Nagae, A., Morishima, K., Shigeyama, T., Shimoyama, K., Yoshino, H., Kawai, Y., Jeong, S., Lee, J., Seo, J., Bae, J., Ahn, B., Chae, S., Lee, K., Cho, I., Chun, K., Won, K., Lee, H., Hong, G., Park, J., Shin, D., Kim, Y., Shim, B., Pavlovic, J., Peovska, I., Vavlukis, M., Gorceva, D., Majstorov, V., Alexanderson, E., Meave, A., Ricalde, A., Teresinska, A., Sliwinski, M., Konieczna, S., Szymanska, M., Hendzel, P., Juraszynski, Z., Debski, A., Szumilak, B., Kostkiewicz, M., Wilkolek, P., Pasowicz, M., Klimeczek, P., Pieniazek, P., Przewlocki, T., Pieculewicz, M., Tracz, W., Szot, W., Trebacz, J., Zmudka, K., Podolec, P., Dziuk, M., Kazmierczak, A., Kot, E., Pietrzykowski, J., Cholewa, M., Coutinho, M., Correia, M., Cantinho, G., Conceição, I., Bernardes, A., Silva, A., Gaspar, F., Cunha, J., Lourenço, C., Roque, C., Ferrer-Antunes, A., Ferreira, M., Providência, L., Lima, J., Abreu, A., Castillejos, L., Henriksson, I., Oliveira, L., Rosário, L., Geão, A., Pereira, E., Colarinha, P., Romero-Farina, G., Candell-Riera, J., Aguadé-Bruix, S., Leon, G., Caresia, A., Mila-Lopez, M., Garcia-Alonso, C., Pifarre-Montaner, P., Negre-Buso, M., Castell-Conesa, J., Mestre-Fusco, A., Porta-Biosca, F., Muxi, A., Paredes, P., Ortin, J., Duch, J., Diaz-Infante, E., Fuertes, S., Orus, J., Mont, L., Pons, F., Pollack, C., Hellermann, J., Namdar, M., Siegrist, P., Koepfli, P., Bartenstein, N., Schurr, U., Jenni, R., Kaufmann, P., Hassad, R., Hamami, H., Sellem, A., Brahim, H., Caglar, M., Mahmoudian, B., Aytemir, K., Kahraman, S., Arýcý, M., Kabakcý, G., Karabulut, E., Akincioglu, C., Berman, D., Nishina, H., Hayes, S., Kavanagh, P., Friedman, J., Slomka, P., Germano, G., Entok, E., Cavusoglu, Y., Vardareli, E., Timuralp, B., Cheetham, A., Naylor, V., Ghiotto, F., McGhie, J., Al-Housni, M., Kelion, A., Hutchings, F., Hinton-Taylor, S., Birkbeck, P., Thatikonda, S., Feldkamp, M., Rosamond, T., Raza, M., Panjrath, G., Haider, A., Jain, D., Yang, A., Schumacher, R., Reynolds, J., Clark, E., Speiser, D., Schindel, M., Hackney, T., Vacek, J., Jindal, V., Dim, U., Hamburg, L., Mouradian, V., Nichols, K., Akinboboye, O., Snyder, K., Polepalle, D., DePuey, G., Khattak, H., Friedman, M., Thompson, L., Thompson, R., McGhie, A., Moser, K., O'Keefe, J., Fritsch, N., Bateman, T., Mut, F., Vidal, I., Rener, A., Nuñez, M., Alvarez, B., and Beretta, M.

Published
2018

39. Gas Distribution and Monitoring for the Drift Chamber of the MEG-II Experiment

Author

Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Francesconi, M., Galli, L., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Hildebrandt, M., Martinelli, V., Meucci, M., Nicolò, D., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Pruneti, B., Raffaelli, F., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Voena, C., Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Francesconi, M., Galli, L., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Hildebrandt, M., Martinelli, V., Meucci, M., Nicolò, D., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Pruneti, B., Raffaelli, F., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., and Voena, C.

Abstract

The reconstruction of the positron trajectory in the MEG-II experiment searching for the $\mu^+ \to e^+ \gamma$ decay uses a cylindrical drift chamber operated with a helium-isobutane gas mixture. A stable performance of the detector in terms of its electron drift properties, avalanche multiplication, and with a gas mixture of controlled composition and purity has to be provided and continuously monitored. In this paper we describe the strategies adopted to meet the requirements imposed by the target sensitivity of MEG-II, including the construction and commissioning of a small chamber for an online monitoring of the gas quality., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Journal of Instrumentation

Published
2018
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40. The design of the MEG II experiment

Author

Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Cocciolo, G., Corvaglia, A., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Francesconi, M., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Grigoriev, D. N., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwai, R., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kasami, K., Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Libeiro, T., Maki, M., Matsuzawa, N., Mihara, S., Milgie, M., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Morsani, F., Mtchedilishvili, A., Nakao, M., Nakaura, S., Nicoló, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Popov, A., Raffaelli, F., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Signorelli, G., Simonetta, M., Tassielli, G. F., Uchiyama, Y., Usami, M., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yoshida, K., Yudin, Yu. V., Zhang, Y., Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Cocciolo, G., Corvaglia, A., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Francesconi, M., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Grigoriev, D. N., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwai, R., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kasami, K., Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Libeiro, T., Maki, M., Matsuzawa, N., Mihara, S., Milgie, M., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Morsani, F., Mtchedilishvili, A., Nakao, M., Nakaura, S., Nicoló, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Popov, A., Raffaelli, F., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Signorelli, G., Simonetta, M., Tassielli, G. F., Uchiyama, Y., Usami, M., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yoshida, K., Yudin, Yu. V., and Zhang, Y.

Abstract

The MEG experiment, designed to search for the mu+->e+ gamma decay at a 10^-13 sensitivity level, completed data taking in 2013. In order to increase the sensitivity reach of the experiment by an order of magnitude to the level of 6 x 10-14 for the branching ratio, a total upgrade, involving substantial changes to the experiment, has been undertaken, known as MEG II. We present both the motivation for the upgrade and a detailed overview of the design of the experiment and of the expected detector performance., Comment: 61 pages and 97 figures

Published
2018
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41. Bacterial communities and chemical parameters in soils and coastal sediments in response to diesel spills at Carlini Station, Antarctica

Author

Vázquez, Susana, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, Jürgens, Jutta, Curtosi, Antonio, Villalba Primitz, Julia, Frickenhaus, Stephan, Abele, Doris, Mac Cormack, Walter P., Helmke, Elisabeth, Vázquez, Susana, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, Jürgens, Jutta, Curtosi, Antonio, Villalba Primitz, Julia, Frickenhaus, Stephan, Abele, Doris, Mac Cormack, Walter P., and Helmke, Elisabeth

Abstract

A diesel spill occurring at Carlini Station (King-George Island, South Shetlands) in 2009 initiated investigations of the fate of the hydrocarbons and their effect on the bacterial communities of the Potter Cove ecosystem. Soils and sediments were sampled across the 200-meter long diesel plume towards Potter Cove four and 15 months after the spill. The sampling revealed a second fuel leakage from an underground pipeline at the spill site. The hydrocarbon fraction spilt over frozen and snow-covered ground, reached the sea, and dispersed with the currents. Contray diesel that infiltrated unfrozen soil remained detectable for years and was seeping with ground water towards coastal marine sediments. Structural changes of the bacterial communities as well as hydrocarbon, carbon and nitrogen contents were investigated in sediments in front of the station, two affected terrestrial sites, and a terrestrial non-contaminated reference site. Bacterial communities (16S rRNA gene clone libraries) changed over time in contaminated soils and sediments. At the underground seepage site of highest contamination (5812 to 366 µg g-1dw hydrocarbons from surface to 90-cm depth), communities were dominated by Actinobacteria (18%) and a betaproteobacterium closely related to Polaromonas napthalenivorans (40%). At one of the spill sites affected exclusively at the surface, contamination disappeared within one year. The same bacterial groups were enriched at both contaminated sites. This response at community level suggests that the cold-adapted indigenous microbiota in soils of the West Antarctic Peninsula have a high potential for bioremediation and can support soil cleaning actions in the ecosystem. Intensive monitoring of pollution and site assessment after episodic fuel spills is required for decision-making towards remediation strategies.

Published
2017

42. Bacterial communities and chemical parameters in soils and coastal sediments in response to diesel spills at Carlini Station, Antarctica

Author

Vázquez, Susana, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, Jürgens, Jutta, Curtosi, Antonio, Villalba Primitz, Julia, Frickenhaus, Stephan, Abele, Doris, Mac Cormack, Walter P., Helmke, Elisabeth, Vázquez, Susana, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, Jürgens, Jutta, Curtosi, Antonio, Villalba Primitz, Julia, Frickenhaus, Stephan, Abele, Doris, Mac Cormack, Walter P., and Helmke, Elisabeth

Abstract

A diesel spill occurring at Carlini Station (King-George Island, South Shetlands) in 2009 initiated investigations of the fate of the hydrocarbons and their effect on the bacterial communities of the Potter Cove ecosystem. Soils and sediments were sampled across the 200-meter long diesel plume towards Potter Cove four and 15 months after the spill. The sampling revealed a second fuel leakage from an underground pipeline at the spill site. The hydrocarbon fraction spilt over frozen and snow-covered ground, reached the sea, and dispersed with the currents. Contray diesel that infiltrated unfrozen soil remained detectable for years and was seeping with ground water towards coastal marine sediments. Structural changes of the bacterial communities as well as hydrocarbon, carbon and nitrogen contents were investigated in sediments in front of the station, two affected terrestrial sites, and a terrestrial non-contaminated reference site. Bacterial communities (16S rRNA gene clone libraries) changed over time in contaminated soils and sediments. At the underground seepage site of highest contamination (5812 to 366 µg g-1dw hydrocarbons from surface to 90-cm depth), communities were dominated by Actinobacteria (18%) and a betaproteobacterium closely related to Polaromonas napthalenivorans (40%). At one of the spill sites affected exclusively at the surface, contamination disappeared within one year. The same bacterial groups were enriched at both contaminated sites. This response at community level suggests that the cold-adapted indigenous microbiota in soils of the West Antarctic Peninsula have a high potential for bioremediation and can support soil cleaning actions in the ecosystem. Intensive monitoring of pollution and site assessment after episodic fuel spills is required for decision-making towards remediation strategies.

Published
2017

43. Single-hit resolution measurement with MEG II drift chamber prototypes

Author

Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Cavoto, G., Cascella, M., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Martinelli, V., Nicolò, D., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Baldini, A. M., Baracchini, E., Cavoto, G., Cascella, M., Cei, F., Chiappini, M., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Martinelli, V., Nicolò, D., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Venturini, M., and Voena, C.

Abstract

Drift chambers operated with helium-based gas mixtures represent a common solution for tracking charged particles keeping the material budget in the sensitive volume to a minimum. The drawback of this solution is the worsening of the spatial resolution due to primary ionisation fluctuations, which is a limiting factor for high granularity drift chambers like the MEG II tracker. We report on the measurements performed on three different prototypes of the MEG II drift chamber aimed at determining the achievable single-hit resolution. The prototypes were operated with helium/isobutane gas mixtures and exposed to cosmic rays, electron beams and radioactive sources. Direct measurements of the single hit resolution performed with an external tracker returned a value of 110 $\mu$m, consistent with the values obtained with indirect measurements performed with the other prototypes., Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures

Published
2016
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44. Muon polarization in the MEG experiment: predictions and measurements

Author

Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., De Bari, A., De Gerone, M., DÓnofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, T. I., Kettle, P. R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, T., Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., Yudin, Y. V., Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., De Bari, A., De Gerone, M., DÓnofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, T. I., Kettle, P. R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, T., Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., and Yudin, Y. V.

Abstract

The MEG experiment makes use of one of the world's most intense low energy muon beams, in order to search for the lepton flavour violating process $\mu^{+} \rightarrow {\rm e}^{+} \gamma$. We determined the residual beam polarization at the thin stopping target, by measuring the asymmetry of the angular distribution of Michel decay positrons as a function of energy. The initial muon beam polarization at the production is predicted to be $P_{\mu} = -1$ by the Standard Model (SM) with massless neutrinos. We estimated our residual muon polarization to be $P_{\mu} = -0.85 \pm 0.03 ~ {\rm (stat)} ~ { }^{+ 0.04}_{-0.05} ~ {\rm (syst)}$ at the stopping target, which is consistent with the SM predictions when the depolarizing effects occurring during the muon production, propagation and moderation in the target are taken into account. The knowledge of beam polarization is of fundamental importance in order to model the background of our ${\megsign}$ search induced by the muon radiative decay: $\mu^{+} \rightarrow {\rm e}^{+} \bar{\nu}_{\mu} \nu_{\rm e} \gamma$.

Published
2015
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45. MEG Upgrade Proposal

Author

Baldini, A. M., Cei, F., Cerri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grassi, M., Nicolò, D., Raffaelli, F., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tenchini, F., Bagliani, D., De Gerone, M., Gatti, F., Baracchini, E., Fujii, Y., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Mori, T., Nishimura, M., Ootani, W., Sawada, R., Uchiyama, Y., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., de Bari, A., Nardò, R., Rossella, M., Cascella, M., Grancagnolo, F., L'Erario, A., Maffezzoli, A., Miccoli, A., Onorato, G., Palamà, G., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Rella, S., Tassielli, G. F., Zavarise, G., Cavoto, G., Graziosi, A., Piredda, G., Ripiccini, E., Voena, C., Grigoriev, D. N., Ignatov, F., Khazin, B. I., Popov, A., Yudin, Yu. V., Haruyama, T., Mihara, S., Nishiguchi, H., Yamamoto, A., Hildebrandt, M., Kettle, P. -R., Papa, A., Renga, F., Ritt, S., Stoykov, A., Kang, T. I., Lim, G., Molzon, W., You, Z., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Kuchinksy, N., Baldini, A. M., Cei, F., Cerri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grassi, M., Nicolò, D., Raffaelli, F., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tenchini, F., Bagliani, D., De Gerone, M., Gatti, F., Baracchini, E., Fujii, Y., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Mori, T., Nishimura, M., Ootani, W., Sawada, R., Uchiyama, Y., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., de Bari, A., Nardò, R., Rossella, M., Cascella, M., Grancagnolo, F., L'Erario, A., Maffezzoli, A., Miccoli, A., Onorato, G., Palamà, G., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Rella, S., Tassielli, G. F., Zavarise, G., Cavoto, G., Graziosi, A., Piredda, G., Ripiccini, E., Voena, C., Grigoriev, D. N., Ignatov, F., Khazin, B. I., Popov, A., Yudin, Yu. V., Haruyama, T., Mihara, S., Nishiguchi, H., Yamamoto, A., Hildebrandt, M., Kettle, P. -R., Papa, A., Renga, F., Ritt, S., Stoykov, A., Kang, T. I., Lim, G., Molzon, W., You, Z., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., and Kuchinksy, N.

Abstract

We propose the continuation of the MEG experiment to search for the charged lepton flavour violating decay (cLFV) \mu \to e \gamma, based on an upgrade of the experiment, which aims for a sensitivity enhancement of one order of magnitude compared to the final MEG result, down to the $6 \times 10^{-14}$ level. The key features of this new MEG upgrade are an increased rate capability of all detectors to enable running at the intensity frontier and improved energy, angular and timing resolutions, for both the positron and photon arms of the detector. On the positron-side a new low-mass, single volume, high granularity tracker is envisaged, in combination with a new highly segmented, fast timing counter array, to track positron from a thinner stopping target. The photon-arm, with the largest liquid xenon (LXe) detector in the world, totalling 900 l, will also be improved by increasing the granularity at the incident face, by replacing the current photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) with a larger number of smaller photosensors and optimizing the photosensor layout also on the lateral faces. A new DAQ scheme involving the implementation of a new combined readout board capable of integrating the diverse functions of digitization, trigger capability and splitter functionality into one condensed unit, is also under development. We describe here the status of the MEG experiment, the scientific merits of the upgrade and the experimental methods we plan to use., Comment: A. M. Baldini and T. Mori Spokespersons. Research proposal submitted to the Paul Scherrer Institute Research Committee for Particle Physics at the Ring Cyclotron. 131 Pages

Published
2013

46. Measurement of the radiative decay of polarized muons in the MEG experiment

Author

MEG Collaboration, Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, Tae Im, Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., Yudin, Yu. V., MEG Collaboration, Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, Tae Im, Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., and Yudin, Yu. V.

Abstract

We studied the radiative muon decay $\mu^+ \to e^+\nu\bar{\nu}\gamma$ by using for the first time an almost fully polarized muon source. We identified a large sample (~13000) of these decays in a total sample of 1.8x10^14 positive muon decays collected in the MEG experiment in the years 2009--2010 and measured the branching ratio B($\mu^+ \to e^+\nu\bar{\nu}\gamma$) = (6.03+-0.14(stat.)+-0.53(sys.))x10^-8 for E_e > 45 MeV and E_{\gamma} > 40 MeV, consistent with the Standard Model prediction. The precise measurement of this decay mode provides a basic tool for the timing calibration, a normalization channel, and a strong quality check of the complete MEG experiment in the search for $\mu^+ \to e^+\gamma$ process., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures. Added an introduction to NLO calculation which was recently calculated. Published version

Published
2013
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47. MEG Upgrade Proposal

Author

Baldini, A. M., Cei, F., Cerri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grassi, M., Nicolò, D., Raffaelli, F., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tenchini, F., Bagliani, D., De Gerone, M., Gatti, F., Baracchini, E., Fujii, Y., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Mori, T., Nishimura, M., Ootani, W., Sawada, R., Uchiyama, Y., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., de Bari, A., Nardò, R., Rossella, M., Cascella, M., Grancagnolo, F., L'Erario, A., Maffezzoli, A., Miccoli, A., Onorato, G., Palamà, G., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Rella, S., Tassielli, G. F., Zavarise, G., Cavoto, G., Graziosi, A., Piredda, G., Ripiccini, E., Voena, C., Grigoriev, D. N., Ignatov, F., Khazin, B. I., Popov, A., Yudin, Yu. V., Haruyama, T., Mihara, S., Nishiguchi, H., Yamamoto, A., Hildebrandt, M., Kettle, P. -R., Papa, A., Renga, F., Ritt, S., Stoykov, A., Kang, T. I., Lim, G., Molzon, W., You, Z., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Kuchinksy, N., Baldini, A. M., Cei, F., Cerri, C., Dussoni, S., Galli, L., Grassi, M., Nicolò, D., Raffaelli, F., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tenchini, F., Bagliani, D., De Gerone, M., Gatti, F., Baracchini, E., Fujii, Y., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Mori, T., Nishimura, M., Ootani, W., Sawada, R., Uchiyama, Y., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., de Bari, A., Nardò, R., Rossella, M., Cascella, M., Grancagnolo, F., L'Erario, A., Maffezzoli, A., Miccoli, A., Onorato, G., Palamà, G., Panareo, M., Pepino, A., Rella, S., Tassielli, G. F., Zavarise, G., Cavoto, G., Graziosi, A., Piredda, G., Ripiccini, E., Voena, C., Grigoriev, D. N., Ignatov, F., Khazin, B. I., Popov, A., Yudin, Yu. V., Haruyama, T., Mihara, S., Nishiguchi, H., Yamamoto, A., Hildebrandt, M., Kettle, P. -R., Papa, A., Renga, F., Ritt, S., Stoykov, A., Kang, T. I., Lim, G., Molzon, W., You, Z., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., and Kuchinksy, N.

Abstract

We propose the continuation of the MEG experiment to search for the charged lepton flavour violating decay (cLFV) \mu \to e \gamma, based on an upgrade of the experiment, which aims for a sensitivity enhancement of one order of magnitude compared to the final MEG result, down to the $6 \times 10^{-14}$ level. The key features of this new MEG upgrade are an increased rate capability of all detectors to enable running at the intensity frontier and improved energy, angular and timing resolutions, for both the positron and photon arms of the detector. On the positron-side a new low-mass, single volume, high granularity tracker is envisaged, in combination with a new highly segmented, fast timing counter array, to track positron from a thinner stopping target. The photon-arm, with the largest liquid xenon (LXe) detector in the world, totalling 900 l, will also be improved by increasing the granularity at the incident face, by replacing the current photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) with a larger number of smaller photosensors and optimizing the photosensor layout also on the lateral faces. A new DAQ scheme involving the implementation of a new combined readout board capable of integrating the diverse functions of digitization, trigger capability and splitter functionality into one condensed unit, is also under development. We describe here the status of the MEG experiment, the scientific merits of the upgrade and the experimental methods we plan to use., Comment: A. M. Baldini and T. Mori Spokespersons. Research proposal submitted to the Paul Scherrer Institute Research Committee for Particle Physics at the Ring Cyclotron. 131 Pages

Published
2013

48. Measurement of the radiative decay of polarized muons in the MEG experiment

Author

MEG Collaboration, Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, Tae Im, Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., Yudin, Yu. V., MEG Collaboration, Baldini, A. M., Bao, Y., Baracchini, E., Bemporad, C., Berg, F., Biasotti, M., Boca, G., Cattaneo, P. W., Cavoto, G., Cei, F., Chiarello, G., Chiri, C., de Bari, A., De Gerone, M., D'Onofrio, A., Dussoni, S., Fujii, Y., Galli, L., Gatti, F., Grancagnolo, F., Grassi, M., Graziosi, A., Grigoriev, D. N., Haruyama, T., Hildebrandt, M., Hodge, Z., Ieki, K., Ignatov, F., Iwamoto, T., Kaneko, D., Kang, Tae Im, Kettle, P. -R., Khazin, B. I., Khomutov, N., Korenchenko, A., Kravchuk, N., Lim, G. M. A., Mihara, S., Molzon, W., Mori, Toshinori, Mtchedlishvili, A., Nakaura, S., Nicolò, D., Nishiguchi, H., Nishimura, M., Ogawa, S., Ootani, W., Panareo, M., Papa, A., Pepino, A., Piredda, G., Pizzigoni, G., Popov, A., Renga, F., Ripiccini, E., Ritt, S., Rossella, M., Rutar, G., Sawada, R., Sergiampietri, F., Signorelli, G., Tassielli, G. F., Tenchini, F., Uchiyama, Y., Venturini, M., Voena, C., Yamamoto, A., Yoshida, K., You, Z., and Yudin, Yu. V.

Abstract

We studied the radiative muon decay $\mu^+ \to e^+\nu\bar{\nu}\gamma$ by using for the first time an almost fully polarized muon source. We identified a large sample (~13000) of these decays in a total sample of 1.8x10^14 positive muon decays collected in the MEG experiment in the years 2009--2010 and measured the branching ratio B($\mu^+ \to e^+\nu\bar{\nu}\gamma$) = (6.03+-0.14(stat.)+-0.53(sys.))x10^-8 for E_e > 45 MeV and E_{\gamma} > 40 MeV, consistent with the Standard Model prediction. The precise measurement of this decay mode provides a basic tool for the timing calibration, a normalization channel, and a strong quality check of the complete MEG experiment in the search for $\mu^+ \to e^+\gamma$ process., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures. Added an introduction to NLO calculation which was recently calculated. Published version

Published
2013
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49. Response of bacterial soil communities to a small diesel-spill at the Argentine station Carlini on King George Island (Antarctica)

Author

Vázquez, Susana, Jürgens, Jutta, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, MacCormack, Walter P., Helmke, Elisabeth, Vázquez, Susana, Jürgens, Jutta, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, MacCormack, Walter P., and Helmke, Elisabeth

Abstract

In October 2009, a diesel pipe connecting two storage tanks at Carlini station (Antarctica) cracked, leaking fuel and contaminating the surrounding soil which, at that time, was covered by a thick snow layer. Three months later, the snow began to melt and the diesel moved with runoff water from the fuel tanks through the residential and laboratory area, towards the Potter Cove. Five months after the spill, soil samples were taken at 10 sites close to, as well as further away, from the spill site. Marine sediment samples were also taken from Potter Cove basin, with the aim to monitor the bacterial communities in relation to the presence of hydrocarbons. One year later, in January 2011, sampling was repeated at approximately the same sites and additional sites that could not be sampled before due to the snow cover. At this time, neither smell nor visual appearance of diesel residues were noticeable on the surface or at 30 cm-depth soil, and measured total petroleum hydrocarbons decreased in the most affected sites, except in front of the pool containing the tanks where the spill originated. At this site, an underground leaking pipe had caused a more recent small event of acute contamination that is being used as a proxy to better understand the effect of the main spill on bacterial communities at Carlini station area. The impact of the spill on soils and sediments was monitored by total carbon and nitrogen content, C/N ratio, presence of hydrocarbons and differences in bacterial community structure. DGGE based on the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify the main changes in community composition over the 14-months period. Most samples showed a quite high diversity few months after the spill, as well as one year later, and only marginal changes in the taxonomic structure were observed during the study period. However, the bacterial community composition in the samples taken near the cracked underground pipe, which experienced a larger input of diesel and less time between

Published
2012

50. Response of bacterial soil communities to a small diesel-spill at the Argentine station Carlini on King George Island (Antarctica)

Author

Vázquez, Susana, Jürgens, Jutta, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, MacCormack, Walter P., Helmke, Elisabeth, Vázquez, Susana, Jürgens, Jutta, Monien, Patrick, Minetti, Roberto Pepino, MacCormack, Walter P., and Helmke, Elisabeth

Abstract

In October 2009, a diesel pipe connecting two storage tanks at Carlini station (Antarctica) cracked, leaking fuel and contaminating the surrounding soil which, at that time, was covered by a thick snow layer. Three months later, the snow began to melt and the diesel moved with runoff water from the fuel tanks through the residential and laboratory area, towards the Potter Cove. Five months after the spill, soil samples were taken at 10 sites close to, as well as further away, from the spill site. Marine sediment samples were also taken from Potter Cove basin, with the aim to monitor the bacterial communities in relation to the presence of hydrocarbons. One year later, in January 2011, sampling was repeated at approximately the same sites and additional sites that could not be sampled before due to the snow cover. At this time, neither smell nor visual appearance of diesel residues were noticeable on the surface or at 30 cm-depth soil, and measured total petroleum hydrocarbons decreased in the most affected sites, except in front of the pool containing the tanks where the spill originated. At this site, an underground leaking pipe had caused a more recent small event of acute contamination that is being used as a proxy to better understand the effect of the main spill on bacterial communities at Carlini station area. The impact of the spill on soils and sediments was monitored by total carbon and nitrogen content, C/N ratio, presence of hydrocarbons and differences in bacterial community structure. DGGE based on the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify the main changes in community composition over the 14-months period. Most samples showed a quite high diversity few months after the spill, as well as one year later, and only marginal changes in the taxonomic structure were observed during the study period. However, the bacterial community composition in the samples taken near the cracked underground pipe, which experienced a larger input of diesel and less time between

Published
2012

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